Chaeles robert schupphaus



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES ROBERT SOHUPPHAUS, OF ZYLONITE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN ZYLONITE COMPANY, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y.

COMPOUND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,207, dated September 3, 18 89.

Application filed December 20, 1888.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES ROBERT SCHUPPHAUS, a subject k of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Zylonite, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Solvents of PyroXyline,-of which the following is a specification.

In the manufacture of plastic compounds IO whose base is soluble pyroxyline, the solvent first used was commercial ethylic ether lo form what is known as collodion. This commercial ethylic ether in 1848 always c011- tained alcohol, and ethylic' ether with eth-ylic 5 alcohol is a perfect solvent of dinitro-cellulose; but the cost of this solvent, owing to the tax on alcohol, limits its employment. Voodnaphtha or methylic alcohol is a very perfect solvent of dinitro-cellulose; but the solvent 20 preferred by most manufacturersis composed of camphor and alcohol in equal parts. The camphor being a solid and having high melting and boiling points, it is necessary to use some liquid to dissolve the camphor. The solution is usually either ethylic or methylic' alcohol, or a mixture of them. These liquid solvents evaporate largely from the mass during manipulation of the rolls and the steam heat of the presses, and by subsequent curing and molding the production of the plastic compound is considerably enhanced in cost incident to the loss of weight from these causes.

Notwithstanding the fact that a large number ofother solvents have heretofore been proposed, few, if any, have been found to give perfect-1y satisfactory results, and oonse quently ethylicand mcthylic alcohols continue to be used. Such being the state of the art, I commenced a series of investigations with a Serial No. 294,157. (No specimens.)

view to determine what solvents would serve 0 either as a substitute in whole or in part for the alcohols mentioned, whether the samebe used alone or in combination with camphor or other solvents. 'The result of my investigations has been that I have found, among 5 other materials, that alpha and beta naphthol in alcoholic solution are solvents of pyroxyline, aided by elevation of temperature. These substances are colorless crystallized compounds, the alpha-naphthol melting at 201 Fahren- 5o heit and beta-naphthol at 252 Fahrenheit. They may be used either separately or in combination dissolved in alcohol, and in con junction with an increased temperature they are good solvents of nitro-cellulose. It will be understood that the proportions of the ingredients to be used are determined by the nature of the ultimate product desired-i. whether a collodion or liquid varnish is to be prepared or a solid plastic body or mass which maybe molded or Worked into various forms. For pyroxyline varnishes a larger quantity of liquid solvent or solvents will be used, While'a less proportion will be required for the production of a plastic body or mass.

What I claim is- In the manufacture of pyroxyline compounds, a varnish or plastic compound consisting of nitro-cellulose in conjunction with alpha or beta naphthol in alcoholic solution, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

CHARLES ROBERT SCHUPPIIAUS. Witnesses:

II. SoHoMBURe, ,II. II. S HI'JRMANN. 

